The man who attacked a police officer with a hammer outside the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Tuesday is thought to have previously worked as a journalist in Sweden, French and Swedish media report.

The attack on Tuesday afternoon took place outside the famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, where a man hurled himself at a police officer on patrol outside one of the French capital's most visited tourist spots.

The man, who was armed with a hammer and two knives, shouted "this is for Syria" when he landed the blow on the officer.

Another policeman responded by firing twice at the attacker, who was left injured and lying on the ground. He was later taken to hospital. The policeman sustained minor injuries.